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Dance and Ethnicity: Philippine Folk Culture: Part Two
| Article
# : |
20183 |
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Section : |
CULTURE
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| Issue
Date : |
1 / 1992 |
2,543 Words |
| Author
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Linda Pandes Jacob
Linda Pandes Jacob, a graduate of Colegio de Santa Isabel in
the Philippines, works on the editorial staff of the
Peninsula Times Tribune in Palo Alto, California. She is also
a contributing editor and feature/travel writer for Asia
Pacific Travel Magazine. |
When Portuguese adventurer-navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the Philippines in 1521, the inhabitants' culture bore traits characteristic of the empires of Srivijaya in the Malay Peninsula and Majapahit in Indonesia. The Filipino way of life had been influenced by three migratory waves: the Negritos, the Indonesians, and the Malays.
Spain conquered the islands with the cross and the sword. Though there are records of resistance (Magellan perished at the hands of Lapu-Lapu), the majority of Filipinos embraced the Spaniards' ways and teachings--but not to the absolute abandon of their old customs, their inherent values, and their penchant for dramatic expression.
One of the most colorful Filipino modes of expression is dance. The strength of Philippine dance rests on its preservation of authenticity and tradition. But just like language or the broad spectrum of culture, its relevance stems from its adaptability to trends and to the collectivity of life.
In their massive Christianization campaign, the Spaniards did not hinder the Filipinos' love for dance. To advance their goals, the Spaniards played to the tune of the cultural character, while injecting their own grandiose modifications and adding more zest and glitz to the pageantry. In the process, Spanish rule introduced a new character to Philippine dance--in context and demonstration.
The introduction of Christianity (today, 83 percent of the population is Catholic and 2 percent Protestant) deeply affected the art of folk dance. Thus, Philippine folk dances can be categorized as either Christian-influenced or non-Christian. The latter class includes indigenous dances of the upland and hinterland tribes and those of the south, loosely termed Muslim dances.
Muslim expressions
Because of its proximity to Java, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, has witnessed the influx of Islamic influences. The foremost Islamic groups are the Tausug, Bajau, Maguindanaons, Maranaos, Samal, and Yakan.
Muslim dances are regal. They dramatize the stance of a proud people, whose confidence and determination have won them the stay of their religious and traditional practices, and even their politics. Female dance movements portray elegance with the torso slightly
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